5 tips when buying used car from Webster Dealerships
**A contributed post as written for The Safe Driver.
Buying a used car can be a stressful life event. You want to buy a car that runs well and will not give you headaches, but you also want to buy it at the lowest price possible. Finding a car that’s reasonably priced doesn’t just happen—it takes time and thorough research. Knowing what to look for and where will help you save money. Here are some used-car buying tips:
Do Your Research
As with anything, research is an essential aspect of the buying process. Unless you are someone who’s impulsive and filthy rich, buying a car shouldn’t be a problem. Here are the things that you need to look for in your research:
- Go for vehicles with high consumer reliability.
- Look for consumer reports, online reviews on forums, social media website posts, and vehicle review articles.
- Look for alternative vehicles in case it doesn’t work with your original choice.
Webster is not only known for its strong sports community, but there are also a handful of reputable used car dealerships here. Use this information to your advantage by visiting several of them and asking around for prices. Who knows, your research might lead you to an irresistible deal.
Check Physical Condition
After doing your research, you need to make sure you physically inspect the vehicle. It’s not enough to trust vehicle photos that car dealers sent you. Who’s to say if these photos were fabricated? Check the car out for yourself. Here is how you do a thorough inspection:
- Check the vehicle during the daytime so you can see if there are paint damages, scratches, and dents.
- Look at the condition of the tires if it needs replacing.
- If the car had been in an accident, ask for the repair history report.
- Look at the interior of the car if any plastic parts are cracked or if there are rips in the fabric.
- Check the trunk for molds and rust.
- Check under the hood and make sure everything is in place.
If you’re feeling doubtful about your skills, you can always bring a second set of eyes to help you inspect the vehicle—ideally, someone who is familiar with auto repairs.
Check For Leaks
A major concern that you need to look out for is car leaks. These leaks can cause you to 
lose a lot of money on repair bills and parts replacement. To check for leaks, ask someone from the dealership to park the car in a dry spot with its engine turned on and then move the vehicle after a minute or so. If there are leak problems, knowing what’s causing them is vital.
The following should help in diagnosing the problem:
- Black fluid – This can mean that the car is leaking engine oil. An oil leak like this may seem insignificant, but if left unchecked, it can other cause engine problems.
- Green fluid – This fluid color indicates that there is a problem with the antifreeze, which means that there could be an underlying air-conditioning problem.
- Red Fluid – This color indicates a leak in the power steering or transmission system, which may have been caused by a defective transmission seal.
Look At Service History
Service history is a collection of documents that show the kind of maintenance work that has been done on the car. This document is usually shown to potential car buyers to give them assurance and peace of mind. Your car dealership should have no problem securing this document for you.
Additionally, a car with complete service records shows that the previous owner is someone who’s organized and takes pride in caring for the vehicle. More often than not, these kinds of owners have cars that are still in excellent condition.
Do A Test Drive
Get a good feel of the vehicle by taking it out on the road. Set up an appointment with your car dealer and let him know that you’re planning on road testing the car. Do the road test on the highway and in the city. Driving it around the city will tell you if the braking is responsive and if it accelerates well. Highway driving will help you get a feel of the engine and its power. Take advantage of the long country roads of Webster and take it around parks to familiarize yourself more with the vehicle.
Test driving is like finding out if the car is a good fit for you. Everything may look fine on the outside, but if it doesn’t feel right for you, appearances alone won’t make a lot of difference.
Conclusion
Do your research and make sure that the car you’re buying doesn’t just look good on the outside but also feels right for you. The process of buying a used car can be tricky if you’re unfamiliar, so be sure to have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, too. Always follow your gut: if something doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to back out.